Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-27
CasarlcAtOls Restored.

CharIcAtOH Restored.
FAST RECOVERING FROM TIE AFFECTS or THE KARTH-
QUAKE
Charleston Letter TO Nashua Telegraph.
AT stranger visiting Charleston at the present
date, exactly one year after the occurrence of the
great earthquake OF August 1886, would find it
hard to believe that only twelvemonth ago this
beautiful city Was literally In ruins The work OF
restoration has been rapid. Wrecked houses have
been pulled down or built. anew, public
buildings have been restored, weak struc-
lures have been strengthened, the churches,
always famous being the most ilnpos-
smith stand even more mas a e a,a haau,, ve
Than before, and the city renovation Is than
accomplished. Marks or the great disturbance
may, OF course, be observed but the stranger must
60 out OF his way to find them Only extensive
ruins, such as those OF the city jail, the United
States courthouse, the Roper Hospital, and the
Hlbernian Hail. remain TO make the observer mar
vel at the tremendous power of the shock. More
Than another year must elapse before these build
lhgs rise from their ruins. The last named stands
on the principal th0r0ughfare q conspicuous
wreck, Its Greclan roof fallen In, the great Doric
pillars which upheld the porch lying in mass be-
fore the door, its stately ruins reminding the con-
slant stream OF paSsers by that earthly grandeur,
like all things temporal, must pass away.
But relics Of the earthquake like these are few.
The energy or the people or Charleston Ia restor-
ing the city has been wonderful Aided by the
generous ofer1ngs Of the people OF the nation and
OF friends beyond the sea. the citizens have sue
the mighty CONFUSION. Growth has followed re-
coyery. Nearly every building i'm the city is
stronger now than before. The brick structures
have been strengthened by long iron bolts running
their entire length, and holding the building ia
grip which even an earthquake cannot relax
New gables, or roofs, or chlmneys ad0rn every
building, without exception, in the city, and
as these additions have been In modern style
and OF best material, the result has been an ad-
dltional attractiveness to the city's appearance
The number also, OF entirely new houses has
been enormous for SO short space OF time. BY
actual count, exclusive OF those repaired, one new
house or home q day was erected Tor nine months
after the great Shock and still the record grows.
Thousands OF workmen from every part of the
capital has been put in circulation, which can be
readily understood when 1t is remembered that
the official report OF the extent OF the damage
done placed the estimate at between five and six
million dollars
The activity and pluck of the citizens OF Charles
ton, In spite Of the succession OF disasters with
which they have been visited, Is most conmenda-
BILE The generosity OF their c0untrymen in send
ing such prompt and bOuntlful AID kindled their
zeal as well as stirred their gratitude. Upon one
OF the principal streets stands witness to the
depth OF their appreciation OF the Kindness shown
them This is the new home for the widows and
orphans of Confederate soldiers on Broad street
marble slab set In the wall bears this inscrip-
ton:
CONFEDERATE HOME,
FOUNDED 1867.
Some feet below, and SO placed as to meet the
eye OF the throngs who daily pass, another and
larger slab appears, bearing these words:
DESTROYED By THE EARTHQUAKE. 1856
RESTORED By the PEOPLE OF THE UNION, 1887.
Thus, upon the same wall, the names Confeder.
ate and Union stand side by side, speaking with
dunno tongue. more eloquent than mans, OF the
wounds healed, the strife ended, the vision of
peace realized at last.
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